Best Daycares in Iowa — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 30 daycares and childcare centers across 6 cities in Iowa.

Top Daycares in Iowa

  1. #1 — Montessori Children's Center Score: 77%

    Clive, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  2. #2 — Tiny Treasures Lutheran Preschool Score: 77%

    Urbandale, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  3. #3 — Mitchell Early Learning Center Score: 77%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →

  4. #4 — Wakonda Preschool Score: 77%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, School. View full profile →

  5. #5 — Conmigo Early Education Center Score: 77%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  6. #6 — New Horizon Academy - Downtown Des Moines Score: 77%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, School, Education. View full profile →

  7. #7 — Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center Score: 77%

    West Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  8. #8 — All Star Daycare and Preschool Score: 77%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  9. #9 — Oak Academy Score: 76%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  10. #10 — Plymouth Nursery School Score: 71%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  11. #11 — West Des Moines United Methodist Early Learning Preschool Score: 71%

    West Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  12. #12 — Westside Early Education Score: 71%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  13. #13 — Childcare Village Montessori Chiqui-School Score: 69%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  14. #14 — Woodlawn Education Center Score: 63%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, School. View full profile →

  15. #15 — La Petite Academy Score: 60%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  16. #16 — Bergman Academy Score: 60%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, Elementary school. View full profile →

  17. #17 — Lil Scholars Preschool Score: 60%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, School, Education. View full profile →

  18. #18 — America's Children of Oakmoor Score: 60%

    Des Moines, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  19. #19 — Beginning Memories Preschool Score: 60%

    Council Bluffs, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, Home service. View full profile →

  20. #20 — St. Paul's Lutheran Early Childhood Center Score: 60%

    Council Bluffs, IA —

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

Our Guide Score percentage combines Google rating (35%), review volume (20%), web and contact presence (20%), profile completeness (15%), accreditation such as NAEYC (5%), press recognition (3%), and years of operation (2%), then normalizes across captured positive categories. Read our full methodology →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best daycare in Iowa?
Montessori Children's Center is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Iowa based on our Guide Score. See the full statewide ranked list above.
How many daycares are ranked in Iowa?
We have ranked 30 daycares and childcare centers across 6 cities in Iowa. Rankings are computed by Guide Score and updated regularly.